The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-09-29
EVENING.
THE GOLDEN CALF.

rs ne so very rlcn!
''Rolling in moucy-might buy up half
the city, they say"
"And really, now come to look at him,
not bad looking man." nurmured the
countess, focusing the gentleman under
discussion with a very effective double
eye glass.
"Geraldine, my love, that is Mr.. Opt
mus Cold over there in the doorway"
The beautiful Geraldine turned a very
naughty head and gave scornful little
laugh.
'And who, pray, mamma, is Mr.. Opti-
mus Codd?"
The young man standing between tho
two ladies looked steadily at the beautiful
young lady in diaphanous white tulle,
saying:
'.Ho is the Golden Calf of this year,
Lady Geraldine. You will soon know him
by sight He is making his mark in So
ciety. He has asked to be presented to
you. Lady Umfreville, have your per-
mission?''
The countess smiled gracious consent
Oh Mr.. Rupert Paulet. She at once alb
solved this penniless detrimental, who had
been hanging about her sacriticial lamb
too closely Of late, for his past offenses.
1t was such a very desirable matter to get
hold OF this millionaire stockbroker at an
early part of his career.
Mr.. Optiuus Codd in his own sphere
was o man Of mark. People in the city
pointed at him respectfully as the pos
SCISSOR of untold wealth; but it had only
recently entered the mind of this enter
prising operator to make an effort to en-
ter fashionable society. This great man
for he was very great in the realms of
stocks and ''the things that are always
going nip and down III the city"-had re-
Gently purchased house in Mayfair,
where he gave most recherche banquets.
He had also contrived to be elected to two
Or three good clubs. In consequence So
ciety was making inquiries about him,
and using every endeayor to substantiate
the rumor5 of his enormous wealth. Doors
could not be shut upon an absolute
CrRsus. In exterior the gentleman who
was the object of so many attentions was
not at all prCpCssessing, in spite of Lady
Umfreville'S charitable verdict. He had
q good natured, fat face, with no salient
features, and reddish hair of q refractory
nature. His small gray eyes had, how
ever, at times a singularly keen and acute
regard. Such eyes might fathom q good
deal of humbug. He dressed well and
wcrc no jeWclry, bearing the manner and
voice of gentleman. His discretion
showed itself in nothing more than in his
ability to keep silence about himself and
others.
When Mr.. Codd slowly made his way
across the ballroom toward the striking
group near the conservatory he was the
object of many regards. After the Hon.
Orable Rupert had presented his friend in
due form to the stately countess and her
lovely daughter, he remained q few min
utes in conversation with the party, finally
Offering his arm to convey her ladyShip to
| supper. She gave an anxious backward
look toward Lady Geraldine and the
| handsome young man left near her. 1t
was unavoidable; the only thing to be
| done was to put her wits together and
make the most Of the present opportu-
| nifty.
''You have box at the opera, believe,
| Mr.. Codd? We are so anxious to hear
Patti Oh her first night"
This was an audacious opening, but the
| countess being poor and q widow, never
fiinched before an attempt of this sort.
| It was her duty to make use of rich &C
quaintances.
II shall be delighted if You will &C
|
natural reioinder from one unused to i'm
| pecunious cOuntesses.
Lady Umfrevilie went away smiling
| that evening, and thankfully felt that her
| labor and Geraldine's new dress had not
been in vain.
Within week Mr.. Optimus Codd had
been invited to partake of various small
very small-forms of hospitality at
| Princes gate. Little teas and light
| luncheons might bring young people to-
| gcther quite as advantageouSly as more
! costly entertainments. Her ladyship was
n skilled matchmaker. Two daughters
| had already been disposed of in their first
season But this was now Lady Gerald
| ines second year in the market, She was
certainly more difficult to manage than
| the docile elder sisters had been. Still,
| Lady Umfreyille did not despair of set
| Ting her this season. June had only just
begun. There was a fourth girl coming
/ in shortly. Lady Margaret was still Ia
] the schoolrooIa, though fully entitled to
| be ennancipated, and she was spirited
young lady who might DE more difficult
| to control than all her predecessors.
| ssWhat is he like, Jerry? ] mean the
| CITY man that every one is talking about
| / know mamma thinks you have captiva
ted him. You might bring him up to the
| schoolroom for my inspection some day
| Pretend you want to show him YOU
drawings.
| 81 should like to see a stock broker
! His name has very fishlike smell. Fancy
| being Lady Geraldine Cold! Does he loof
like a gentleman? Don't you think you
had better turn him over to me, Jerry?"
Here the lively Lady Margaret began
dancing about the room. '.Shan't have
fine time of it when come out! meal
to make up for being kept back year
| You see you must be out of the way
| Jerry. You are so very good looking"
Lady Geraldine answered smiling: ID
be sensible, Maggie, and I'll tell you al
| about Mr.. Optimus Codd. Well he!
rather Eat and not got any particular ex
preston, but I think he's very goot
sntured. Ircally think ike him, ant
IT, A lovely blush rose to her facs
eff You hadn' t fallen in love with som
one else. and if you we're quite sure MI
OptimuS Codd didn't want TO marry you
Don't you be the least bit gracious to hin
or he'll cay you gave him encouragement
They always do if you are polite. But
4 Geraldine, / advise you to give mp Reggi
Paulet. he has got next to nothing, an
you can't marry on love. -
Lady Geraldine tossed up her prett
head. "You mind your own business
Maggie, You're very disagreeable, and